The 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner as college football's top defensive back, Jahdae Barron became Denver's first-round cornerback in 2025.
Jahdae Barron arrived in Denver as the 20th overall pick after a decorated senior season at Texas that made him one of the most honored defensive backs in the country. A versatile corner who can line up inside or outside, Barron spent his rookie year working into the Broncos' secondary rotation.
Path to the league
Barron played five seasons at Texas from 2020 to 2024, developing from a reserve into a full-time starter by his junior and senior years. The Broncos selected him 20th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $18.07 million.
Career highlights
In his senior season at Texas, Barron recorded 67 tackles, five interceptions and 16 passes defensed, earning the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back along with consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC honors.
2025 season recap
Barron played in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, primarily in a depth role behind fellow slot cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, recording 35 tackles, one interception, five passes defensed and a fumble recovery. He also saw action in two playoff games as Denver's postseason run continued.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jahdae Barron
- ESPN: Jahdae Barron
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
17 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | broncos | 17 | 35 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Cornerback
- Group
- defense
- College
- Texas
- Hometown
- Austin, TX, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
